A bill abolishing the letters of marque was neither introduced nor defeated in 1833 in the British House of Commons. (But the possibility was excellent fodder for a fictional kidnapping.)
Acknowledgments
THE HUMMINGBIRD DAGGER is a favorite among my beta readers and as such, I faced a mutiny if I did not polish it and present it to Swoon Reads for publication. It was fortunate that my editor, Emily Settle, was equally enthused about the book. And so I wish to acknowledge and thank all those involved in this publication, beginning with the helping hands at Swoon Reads.
Thank you, Emily, for your advice, patience, editing skills, and author management. You are amazing! Thank you, Jean Feiwel, for your leadership and guidance on this project, and Lauren Scobell, for championing the book and working toward a cohesive vision. Rich Deas, as always, the cover design is outstanding! It conveys the atmosphere and drama perfectly. I would also like to thank Mandy Veloso, my production editor, and the marketing team of Melissa Croce and Teresa Ferraiolo. As well, many thanks to my publicist, Kelsey Marrujo. I am privileged to have such an eager and talented team to direct me along the way.
Thank you, fellow Swoon Reads authors; a better support group could not be found. And to my readers: Thank you for your encouraging Twitter and Facebook comments.
To my family and friends: Thank you for seeing me through the turmoil. Mike: You are my rock—I’m almost speechless when I think of all that you do to keep us trucking. Christine: Here it is! The one you’ve been waiting for. The Hummingbird Dagger would not be in print were it not for your faith and willingness to reread the manuscript—over and over … and over. Deb: Thank you for your help catching the many inconsistencies and your advice along the way. Dan, Mom, Steve, Stew, Trudy, Dillan, Matthew, Sue, Paul, Ginny, and Mel: Thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm.
by Cindy Anstey
LOVE, LIES AND SPIES
DUELS & DECEPTION
SUITORS AND SABOTAGE
CAROLS AND CHAOS
THE HUMMINGBIRD DAGGER
About the Author
Cindy Anstey spends her days painting with words, flowers, threads, and acrylics. After many years living as an expat in Singapore, Memphis, and Belgium, Cindy now resides with her husband and energetic chocolate Labrador, Chester, in Nova Scotia, Canada. She is the author of Love, Lies and Spies; Duels & Deception; Suitors and Sabotage; Carols and Chaos; and The Hummingbird Dagger. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Before
Chapter One: Disastrous Encounter
Chapter Two: The Enigma Awakens
Chapter Three: A Proclivity for Melodrama
Chapter Four: Puppies and Impatience
Chapter Five: Fellow Confederate
Chapter Six: Introducing Miss Dobbins
Chapter Seven: Conspicuously Absent
Chapter Eight: Warning Signs
Chapter Nine: Flights of Fancy
Chapter Eleven: The Familiar Stranger
Chapter Twelve: Leave Taking
Chapter Thirteen: Fluff and Feathers
Chapter Fourteen: Walter’s Lament
Chapter Fifteen: Change of Scenery
Chapter Sixteen: Magnetic Forces
Chapter Seventeen: Announcements
Chapter Eighteen: Renewed Hope
Chapter Nineteen: Much to Know
Chapter Twenty: Kickin’ up a Lark
Chapter Twenty-One: Nightmare Revelations
Chapter Twenty-Two: Trapped
Chapter Twenty-Three: Dungeons and Daggers
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Aftermath
After
Historical Note: Separating Fact from Fiction
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 by Cynthia Ann Anstey
A Swoon Reads Book
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First hardcover edition 2019
eBook edition April 2019
eISBN 9781250174888